Water for Chaveneau :)

 I wanted to give an update on the clean water project for Chaveneau (the remote farming community where Hearts United has done most of our ministry).  Last winter we took a medical team to the community with the intention of developing a long term plan for ministry.  It was determined that the people needed better nutrition and clean water first.  Then we could concentrate on education (school) and a medical center.  If the people (especially the children) are sick or hungry they are unable to learn properly and will continue to get sick and/or die from things that can be prevented.  So, we began a campaign to bring clean water to this community.

Well, after much prayer and direction from God we are happy to report that we have partnered with a group from Pennsylvania who will be coming in the end of November to install a water filtration system!  To prepare for their work we needed to first drill a well and construct a building to house the system, find locals to maintain it, find people in the community committed to learn and educate their neighbors about clean water, etc...   As of this morning we are SO BLESSED to report that we have paid a well driller who is expecting to dig the well this coming week (depending on whether or not he can get his drilling rig into the site- if not he will do it as soon as possible) and the funds for construction of the building are ready to be sent by the group donating them so construction on the building should begin within the next week as well!!  We are well on our way to having clean water for this community by the first week of December 2012!  WOW!!!  Only God can put the pieces of the puzzle together the way they have come together.  He never ceases to amaze me and to prove His love for His people.

Until then people in Chaveneau will continue to gather water from the new spigot system our July team installed- this water comes from a spring up the mountain and travels by pipe to this spigot.  This water has been tested and is contaminated but it is better than the water they receive from the river- the other alternative in the area.  Pray for those who will be receiving clean water SOON- Thank you Jesus!!

Isaac photos...

Here are some photos that will show you the damage from Isaac to Haiti.  Just yesterday I was visiting a friend and she asked me "Did they have much damage from that storm?" so I thought I would share these.  Most were found on the internet so I can't take any credit and wish I could give credit to the photographer.  The first two compare a photo I took about a month ago of the tent community in Carrefour to a recent photo taken after Isaac.  There are captions under the photos explaining what they are of.

This is the photo you have seen before- that I took in July 2012 in Carrefour 

Same community after Isaac- looks like many of the tents are still standing, but they are more tattered and people are obviously drying out their clothes, blankets, etc... 

This is from the internet- standing back up their tarp that fell.  

From what I read this one is of the road on the way to Les Cayes (where we drive very close to the ocean and many take photos- there's usually a retaining wall to the right of this photo if it's where I think it was taken- you can kind of see that)

Just another photo that struck me.   Oh how I wish I was there to help clean up!  

Keep these people in your prayers.  I have been there to clean up after Hurricane Katrina (in New Orleans and Mississippi) and can tell you that it's tough sifting through things to decide what can/can not be salvaged, seeing your belongings ruined from the rain, etc.. Haitians are resilient but this is a LOT to deal with for anyone.  :)  :)

Isaac update...

Still have not heard from some of the people I know in Haiti, but wanted to give you a bit of a follow-up.  I have heard from some of my translators and friends.  One had their tarp blow apart/rip and had significant wind/rain damage to their house (photo below- same house as the bottom photo of my last post).  One has had two different families whose tarps/tent home blew apart come to live with him.  His apartment has grown   to 10 people in a matter of a few hours.  Another has been helping survey the area around his home for damage and offering to help his neighbors where he and his family can. Still no word from Chaveneau, from Jean Bernard (probably won't hear from anyone about him to be honest), no word from the girls who left the orphanage yet, etc... So I am asking that you continue to pray.  There is a LOT of clean up needed.  I did talk to Redgi and he said in his neighborhood there was severe wind damage as well.  Thanks for the e-mails, phone calls and facebook messages asking about the situation.  And THANK YOU to those who have donated toward our December construction trip so we can get a family into a better living situation.  Yes, it's only one family, but to that family it will mean SO MUCH.  We are still a long way from our goal though- please pray about whether or not you would like to help out.  heartsunitedwithhaiti.org (go to the "donate" page and follow directions to either donate online or to send in a check/money order- remember it is tax deductible and will be used to bless MANY- thanks)

Notice how the tarp separated and let water in (the blue tarp in the background- kind of to the right- was also covering the house but blew off).  This is the same house in my post below at the bottom.  When asked how much was damaged they said, "We had very bad damage.  We need to repair a lot."  This breaks my heart- they are a family who has already been through enough yet their faith remains strong.  

Tropical Storm Isaac

Please pray for Haiti over the next few days- rains expected to start falling soon from what was expected to be Hurricane Isaac and continue through Sunday.  Here are some images from photos I took in the last three months alone!  (I have many like this)  MANY in Haiti are living under tarps or in areas prone to flooding and are in dangerous situations.  Pictures make it that much more real.....

Here is part of the large tent city as you enter Croix de Bouquet.  The tarps are nicer now in some areas but still tarps.

In the city- Port au Prince by the hospital.  

North of the city- going toward St. Marc-  these little villages are all over.

And so are these houses.  

I know the family that lives in this house well.  They do have another house on the property but it's dirt and rock.  This is more the kitchen but I am sure they use it for sleeping too.  

This is the tent community in Carrefour as you travel along the beach road.  

This is the home of one of my friends- pretty sturdy, but still scary with the winds and rain that is expected.  In July we had a quick wind gust in Carrefour and it knocked an almond tree over (like the one in the back of this house) and it fell on someone's small tent home.  It was really interesting yet scary to see how quickly things can happen and the damage that can be done.  Luckily no one was hurt and the house was fine.  Praise God.  

PLEASE continue to remember these people in your prayers!  Not only through the hurricane, but ongoing.  And if you ever want to go/serve in Haiti let us know- we would love to have you join us on a trip.  Mesi!

Back to "normal"

I hesitate to write that cause I really don't know what "normal" is or if it even exists, but what I meant by that is that I have been home for almost two weeks and life is back to my normal USA life.  Working on paperwork, making phone calls and networking, scheduling trips, corresponding with Haiti, planning speaking engagements, praying about what God has for HU, board meetings, fund raising work, etc...  Both of my lives are vastly different but both are equally exciting.  I truly LOVE what God has called me to and though I would love to be living in Haiti all the time, it's not reality right now.  But for now, here are some of my favorite photos from this last trip to Haiti and some of the things I miss...

I miss lobster on the beach- they row out in a small canoe and dive down to catch them and then bring them back to cook over the open fire on the beach for us.  One of my vices when I need some "God and me" time!  

The "lobster beach"- just beautiful here. I roam the beach and collect shells and just lay/enjoy the view.

I never want to forget the horror of the earthquake.  Many people went through so much!  I miss talking to people, hearing their earthquake stories and just getting to know them and hear about their lives and culture.

I miss having teams and watching them interact with the children.  Her's Logan as Joseph with his tie of many colors (we didn't have a coat- OK??)

 Here are some of my favorite Chaveneau children ... I miss them so much!

I miss hiking in the mountains with the children following along- slipping a little hand into mine.  

I miss so much more than these photos show.  The orphanage and children there, my "Haitian son" James, my other friends, walking in Carrefour in search of street food by myself and then feeling so excited to see how God provided just the right people to help me with my limited Creole speaking skills, the hospitality of Americans and Haitians alike when I need a respite, feeling closer to God than I ever do at home, the beautiful ocean and mountains, etc.. And yes!  I even miss the rooster crowing all night, the horns blaring in crazy traffic, never having personal space (always having Haitians leaning on me or touching me no matter that it is 90 degrees and humid), and the dust!  ;)

Until I return these (and MANY other photos) will be looked at a lot.  :)  :)  :)  Hope you enjoy them - seeing a little of my life in Haiti.

Here we go again!

Looked at a 2000 Ford Expedition tonight for sale near our home here in the states.  VERY nice SUV but the reality is that we will be about $2000 short right now to buy it, get a few things done to it and ship it to Haiti.  So..... we will keep praying.  Either the money will be there or God has something else for us.  This is hard though- this is a really good deal and the guy was nice/honest.  It's just the way it is...... welcome to missions.  :)  :)  To being totally dependent upon God to provide for your needs.  He knows we need something reliable to use in Haiti and He knows where we will get it from.  We just need to trust Him for that and for a base....  there are just times it is soooooo difficult to know exactly where He is directing.

Clean Water

Haven't written about the TWO clean water projects we have going on in Haiti in a while so here's an update!  The first is for the community of Chaveneau-  a remote farming community.  Right now they have water piped down the mountain from a spring but when we had it tested it showed that the water was contaminated.  There is limited access to health care in the area and people (especially the young and elderly) frequently get sick from waterborne diseases, parasites, etc...  Some even die.

We are SO EXCITED to report that in the next week or so a well will be drilled on the land of a church we partnered with for this project.  Then, a building needs to be constructed (working on quotes from Haitian builders) and in November a group from the USA (actually from right here in Pennsylvania) will come to install a water purification system which will take the well water and produce CLEAN water for the community.  :)  :)

The second project is at the orphanage in Port au Prince.  Right now we are working on getting a well drilled there.  It is VERY difficult to find someone in Port au Prince who wants to take on this project because the orphanage sits on a mountain that is known to have LOTS of rock underground and well drillers are concerned about breaking bits on their machines as they drill.  It is not like here in the USA where you can just order a new drill bit should you encounter trouble.

Once the well is drilled we will work with people committed to construct a building there to house another of these water purification systems and this one (hopefully) will be installed by a group from Kansas.  Right now the orphanage gets water brought in by truck and stores it in a large cistern and then it comes from this spigot (below) but it is expensive to do this and water needs to be rationed.  This means that the children at the orphanage (about 80 of them) have a limited supply of water available to them and it is not always good clean water that is brought in.

We are VERY excited about both of these projects and the way God has opened doors and is providing for each in amazing ways.  Let us know if you would like to help us reach our goal of providing clean water to both these sites in Haiti.  We are blessed that someone donated funds for digging the well in Chaveneau and another has donated toward the well at the orphanage.  Praise God for the way He is directing His people to provide CLEAN WATER for many!  :)  :)

Transition...

Right now we are at a time of transition with Hearts United.  Before leaving Haiti this last time we moved all our possessions from the Arris house and are storing them until we find a location to have a base.  This is both exciting and a bit scary at the same time.  God is directing us to a new area of ministry-mostly because the area where we have been located has had many groups over the past two years- all pouring their time, energy and resources into one concentrated area.  We really feel God telling us to step out and find a new area. A place where we can bring teams and get to know a new community and the needs there.  We do not yet know where this area is but are trusting Him to show us.  We would appreciate prayers as we work through this transition phase in the ministry and as we see His guidance and direction.  There is certainly no lack of opportunities to minister in Haiti but we want to be sure what we choose is from Him- not us!

7 suitcases, 4 duffle bags, 4 tents, 10 water jugs, water cooler, misc. mats and other items (wash basins, buckets,etc..) - all in storage for now!  Waiting on God's direction about where to put the items.  It will be nice to unpack them all and to begin to create a sanctuary for teams and for us!  Thanks for the prayers and financial support toward this goal.

Note:  If you would like to donate toward renting a building in Haiti to use as a base (or toward the ministry in any other way) you can do so by either sending a check/money order to Hearts United with Haiti  PO Box 55  Morgantown, PA 19543  or by going online on our website (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org) and following the links on our "donate" page.  All donations are tax deductible and will be used wisely to benefit the people of Haiti.  

Home...

Just got home last night from Haiti.  Each time is so different and each is equally a blessing to me as well as others.  The teams were great but this trip God really used my down time to show me some new amazing ministry opportunities.  Not sure yet if that is where He is leading Hearts United but it is good to see other parts of Haiti and meet people in other ministries.  Haiti is a fantastic country and the people are so wonderful and whatever God calls us to is exciting.

The longer I am in the country though (38 weeks in the last two years) I realize more and more the way things operate and the battles we are fighting which are NOT from God.  It is a shame that there is so much apprehension from both sides about honesty, intentions, etc...- so much mistrust. (Americans and Haitians alike).  The enemy loves to plant seeds of discouragement and it is our job to guard against this and to press onward - trusting in God who has called us to His work.  I see so many of my friends become sad and disillusioned in their work in Haiti.  It breaks my heart.  The enemy has had a stronghold in this country for so long and is not giving up easily.

We ask for your prayers as we move forward as an organization.  That we remain true to whatever God calls us to do and that we clearly hear His voice directing and leading our ministry.  Thanks!  :)

the girls!

Got to drive today to Mirbalias and see "my" girls who left the orphanage. It was like fresh water rushing over me!  I needed to have some positive time away and to see them at HOME and HAPPY which they are!  :)  :)  Here are some photos of them- we played dominoes, took a hike to the local river where they swim/do laundry/bathe, handed out pillowcase dresses, etc....   It was a GREAT day!  :)   I will be forever grateful to Redgi for taking me on his time off- what a blessing he is to me and to the ministry.  Thanks "boss".  :)

A day in Haiti

Ok.. so here's how things go here- just for those of you who wonder why nothing seems to get done.  Yesterday I was staying with my friend Kelly in Carrefour.  We got up and got ready to go to her internet cafe' to drop off some stuff by 10 am.  We did that- CHECK!  Right on schedule.  Then off to Natcom. Since I was leaving her she would not have internet and she wanted to buy her own service (a USB jump drive thing and SIM card) so Redgi went in and got it for her while we waited and waited in the car.  Now it was about 12 pm.  We finally got it (the hold up was getting a receipt- no one does them in Haiti) and then took her "home" to her place and we went out to do our errands.  We had seven things on the list.

 First stop?  To get some of my luggage from a house we stayed at with the team in July.  We get there and.... 1.  they are using our things (plates, cups, silverware)-- had to round up what we could- only 6 plates, 7 cups and no silverware to be found.  2.  Some other things from my suitcase were gone- food left for me, a gift for Redgi's girlfriend, etc...  "Welcome to Haiti"!  After searching for a while we gave up and just left with what we could find.

Second stop- Rick's place to get a receipt for the money spent on car repair.  Being a social culture you don't just show up and pick something up from someone.  You sit and chat a bit which we did.  Meanwhile Redgi got a text from Kelly saying the internet wasn't working. SO.....

Third stop- back to Kelly's place to work on the internet.  Never got it working so Redgi left with the stick and came back later with it.  SIM card had not been activated.  Now the time is 2:20 pm.

Left Kelly and Redgi was STARVING so we got food- another hour.

Left the restaurant and headed to a place where we were to call and hopefully meet the father of the baby mentioned in an earlier post in June.  (the one who passed away- I had photos to share with the father)- NO ANSWER on his phone.  We called and called.  Nevermind.  We still have time to get to the orphanage and get a paper needed from Pastor Yves for a meeting tomorrow morning with Convoy of Hope- right?

Yep!  We got to the orphanage at about 5 pm. and guess what?? Pastor can't find the paper!  So... we stayed about 30 min. and talked to him about other things and left to go to Redgi's house to drop off all the suitcases and things from earlier in the day.

Got there at about 6 pm. or so and dropped off stuff but then when we left we thought he lost his phone or left it at home cause he couldn't find it.  Back we went and then.. it was under the seat of the car!

So.... of the seven errands we only got three done- pretty productive for Haiti (in 9 hours).... ;)

That's kind of how it goes here.  Today we were to go to the bank to open a joint account.  Different bank than we use now.  Got there- stood in line for about an hour or so when we saw someone else who had a photo to give them.  Redgi asked and YEP!  You need a photo to open an account there.  So we left without opening the account (this after literally trying THREE other banks but the lines were too long to get inside)- started at 9:30 am and didn't get done until 1:30 pm. and NO ACCOUNT.  :)  :)  "Welcome to Haiti".